Godinez Steps Down from Football, Remains as AD

by Cerwin D Haynes

Being a collegiate head coach for any sport can be very demanding and taxing - perhaps a bit moreso for football. Being an athletic director for a department that houses 17 sports can likewise be very demanding and taxing. 

For six years, Bobby Godinez balanced both athletic director and football head coaching duties to demonstrative success. In the last month, however, he came to the realization that he needed to step away from of the sidelines and settle squarely into the sole role of AD. Godinez formally announced his decision on X (formerly Twitter) two weeks ago:

ELAC Football is coming off a fall 2023 that saw them finish 7-4 in the National Central League - their first winning season as a member of the higher-level National Division. The Huskies also enjoyed a postseason victory over Bakersfield College in the Patriotic Bowl, ELAC's first bowl win as a National Division member.

Given that football is a deep-rooted passion for the AD, it only made sense to sit down with Godinez to review his thought process into his decision and his timing. (For video including full list of timestamps, watch here)

Upon learning of Godinez's decision, East Los Angeles College president Dr. Alberto J Roman stated the following:

"Bobby's leadership, passion, and unwavering dedication have left a positive mark on our team and the ELAC community. His successes on the field have not only brought pride and excitement to our campus but have also instilled invaluable lessons of perseverance and teamwork in our student-athletes. Under Bobby's guidance, our football program has achieved remarkable milestones, demonstrating resilience and excellence in every game. Beyond victories, Bobby's impact transcends the field; his commitment to academic success has seen countless players graduate and move forward in their educational journeys, aligning seamlessly with ELAC's mission of empowering students to reach their fullest potential."